# Columbus Aviators Week 4 Preview vs. Dallas Renegades: Prediction, Keys to Victory, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds

- Author: Jonathan Clink
- Published: 2026-04-16T23:40:00Z
- Updated: 2026-04-16T23:45:00Z
- Categories: UFL (ufl), Dallas Renegades (dallas-renegades), Columbus Aviators (columbus-aviators), Injuries (injuries)
- Canonical URL: https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/columbus-aviators-week-4-preview-vs-dallas-renegades-prediction-keys-victory-depth-chart-injuries-odds

**The Columbus Aviators had their best game yet last week in a tough loss on the road, 23-28, to the Dallas Renegades. They will have an opportunity now to even the score in their own building as they face the Renegades at home on Friday night. The Aviators successfully slowed down a high-octane offense as they held Dallas to only 225 yards of total offense last week.**

## **Game Details:**

##### **Date/Location: Friday, April 17 / Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH**

##### **Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM PT**

##### **Channel: FOX**

##### **Theme Night: United by Giving | Aviators Flag Giveaway**

##### **First 5,000 fans receive an Aviators flag (civic engagement & community service focus)**

##### **Odds:**

**Spread: Columbus +5.5 (-105), Dallas -5.5 (-115)**

**Moneyline: Columbus +235, Dallas -290**

**Over/Under: 47.5 (Over -115, Under -105)**

**Columbus Aviators (0-3):**

**The Aviators showed clear improvement in Week 3, holding the high-powered Renegades to just 225 total yards and keeping the game competitive until the final minutes. [Jalan McClendon](https://uflnewshub.com/player/jalan-mcclendon-28932) and the offense looked sharper, but there remains room for improvement in the passing game. Holding [Austin Reed](https://uflnewshub.com/player/austin-reed-34164) to just 147 passing yards was very impressive last week, and they will need a similar performance to get their first win on Friday night.**

**Dallas Renegades (3-0):**

**The Renegades remain the most complete team in the UFL despite an offensive speed bump last week. Austin Reed continues to lead the league in passing yards and touchdowns, while [Tyler Vaughns](https://uflnewshub.com/player/tyler-vaughns-29670) is dominating at receiver. The defense helped secure the win last week, contributing to the scoreboard with a pick-6 from Shaun Wade. Despite being on the road, Rick Neuheisel’s group enters as the clear favorite as they hope to remain undefeated against a Columbus team still searching for its first victory.**

## **Aviators Keys to the Game**

### **Pound the Rock**

**The passing game has not been highly consistent this season for Columbus, and i would like to see them lean more on the talented running back room of John Lovett, Toa Taua, and Zaquandre White.**

### **Strong Pass Protection**

**Last week was a huge improvement in pass protection for the Aviators after some struggles in the first 2 games, and they need to continue to build on this.**

**text**

### **Bend But Don’t Break Defense**

**Dallas has had the capacity for big chunk plays this season, and Columbus needs to prevent those big passing plays.**

### **Make Austin Reed Uncomfortable**

**Columbus needs their pass rush to get to Austin Reed quickly and frequently to make things uncomfortable. The fans can also help with this at home by bringing the noise on defense.**

## **Aviators to Watch**

#### **81 WR Tay Martin**

**Martin caught 5 of his 6 targets last week for 49 yards.**

**text**

#### **6 WR Antwane Wells**

**Wells caught 4 of his 6 targets for 43 yards and a touchdown and had 4 missed tackles forced.**

#### **48 DE Kenny Willekes**

**Willekes had 6 total tackles, including half a sack, last week, and 5 additional pressures by my count.**

**text**

#### **56 DE Ron Stone Jr.**

**Ron Stone Jr. had 3 total tackles last week, including half a sack, and also had 5 additional pressures by my count.**

#### **21 CB D.J. Miller Jr.**

**Miller was the busiest defensive back last week for Columbus, as by my count, 7 targets came his way, resulting in 4 completions for 40 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown, and had 2 pass breakups.**

## **Renegades to Watch**

#### **QB Austin Reed**

**Reed leads the UFL in passing yards with 763 and in touchdowns with 9, while he has only 1 interception.**

#### **WR Tyler Vaughns**

**Vaughns leads the league in receiving yards by over 100 yards with 331 and has the most receiving touchdowns with 4.**

#### **24 CB Shaun Wade**

**Last week, Wade had 3 total tackles, including 2 solo stops against the pass. In coverage, 6 passes came his way by my count, resulting in 3 completions for 14 yards. He had an interception he brought back for a touchdown and a pass breakup.**

**text**

#### **63 DT Siaki Ika**

**Ika had the most total pressures for the Renegades last week, winning a pass rush battle to generate pressure 5 times last week. He also had 1 tackle, which was a shared run stop.**

#### **77 DT Kevin Strong**

**Strong has been an effective player this season for Dallas. Last week, he had 4 total tackles, including 2 solo run stops and half a sack, and had an additional QB hurry and 2 QB hits by my count.**

## **Depth Charts, Injuries, Inactives**

## **Score Prediction:**

**I am expecting a good game, but still predicting Dallas to win. If the Renegades can straighten a few things out in practice and film study to get back to their form in weeks 1-2, then they could look like a waking dragon on Friday night. I predict Dallas to win 33-23.**

From UFL News Hub. Please link to https://uflnewshub.com/ufl/columbus-aviators-week-4-preview-vs-dallas-renegades-prediction-keys-victory-depth-chart-injuries-odds when citing. More at https://uflnewshub.com/llms.txt